DOTD introduces new ride-sharing program

BATON ROUGE- To familiarize the public with a new carpool program, DOTD hosted a launch event earlier today.

The purpose of the launch event was to introduce the public to the Commuter Krewe of Louisiana. According to a release from the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, the department wants to encourage drivers to use carpooling as an alternative method of transportation in order to alleviate traffic congestion in and around the city.

Representatives from East and West Baton Rouge, Ascension, Livingston, and Iberville Parishes attended the event.

Some Baton Rouge drivers say carpooling is not for them.

"Then you have to drive somewhere else not towards work to pick someone up," said Stuart Theraot. "It just messes up my schedule. I have a dog that I need to take care of and I like to keep him on a schedule."

To make the process easier, the new program allows drivers to go online, enter in a home location and a work location to find people they could commute with.

"Here at DOTD, I've got about 1,200 people physically at this location, and we release these people, for the majority, at the same time and they impact traffic," said Dr. Shawn Wilson, Louisiana's DOTD Secretary.

Along with the program, companies involved are looking to offer incentives related to insurance, preferred parking or taxes. They say it's not a permanent fix.

"But it will help mitigate [traffic] and we're excited about bringing this program to the capital area," said Dr. Wilson.